Where multiple client devices are synchronized to multiple, asynchronous instances of a time-based media presentation such as live and time-shifted views of a television broadcast, interactive content can be delivered to each one of the various devices at a particular time (or “time offset”) within the presentation independent of when each instance of the time-based media presentation is viewed.
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1. A method comprising: receiving a plurality of time offsets from a plurality of client devices that identify a temporal location in a presentation of time-based media for each one of the plurality of client devices; transmitting time-based interactive content selected according to the temporal location to at least one of the plurality of client devices for display on the at least one of the plurality of client devices, wherein the interactive content includes a quiz synchronized to the presentation; scoring one or more responses to the quiz from the plurality of client devices; and transmitting a quiz result based upon the scoring to one of the plurality of clients for display on the one of the plurality of client devices synchronized to the presentation according to an independently determined time offset for the one of the plurality of client devices.
The system receives timestamps from multiple devices showing where each device is in a video. The system sends interactive content, like a quiz, to the devices based on their individual timestamps, so everyone gets relevant content in sync with their viewing. The system grades quiz answers from the devices and sends the quiz results back to at least one device, displaying the result in sync with that device's current video timestamp. This allows for synchronized interactive experiences across devices viewing the same content at different points in time.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting time-based interactive content includes transmitting a presentation offset in order to synchronize display of the time-based interactive content on each one of the plurality of client devices.
Building upon the interactive system from the previous description, when the system sends interactive content (like a quiz) to the viewing devices, it also sends a presentation offset value. This offset ensures that the interactive content appears at precisely the correct moment in relation to the video on each device, synchronizing the display of the interactive element across all devices, regardless of their individual timestamps in the video.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive content includes a poll temporally related to the presentation.
Building upon the interactive system described, the interactive content delivered to the viewing devices includes a poll. The poll's questions are specifically designed to relate to the video content being watched at the time indicated by the device's timestamp. This makes the polls relevant and engaging for viewers, as they are directly connected to the video they are currently watching.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising transmitting a result for the poll to one or more of the plurality of client devices.
Building upon the interactive system delivering polls related to video content, the system also transmits the poll results back to one or more of the viewing devices. This allows users to see how their responses compare to others and provides immediate feedback, enhancing the interactive experience. The results are displayed in relation to the current video timestamp on the receiving device(s).
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the interactive content for each one of the plurality of devices as the time offset for that one of the plurality of devices changes over an interval of the presentation.
Building upon the interactive system, the system dynamically updates the interactive content displayed on each device. As a device's timestamp changes over time (as the user watches the video), the interactive content is refreshed to remain relevant to the new point in the video. This ensures that the interactive experience is continuous and always synchronized with the user's current viewing position.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the presentation includes a live television broadcast.
Building upon the interactive system, the video content being watched is a live television broadcast. The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching the live broadcast at different points, or who may be behind the live broadcast due to pausing, recording, etc.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the presentation includes a time-shifted television broadcast.
Building upon the interactive system, the video content being watched is a time-shifted television broadcast (e.g., a recorded show). The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching the time-shifted broadcast at different points.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the presentation includes a display to the client device from a pre-recorded media including at least one of a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, and an HD DVD.
Building upon the interactive system, the video content being watched is played from a physical media like a CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, or HD DVD. The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching from physical media at different points.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein synchronizing the client device includes: receiving data representative of an audio component of the presentation from each one of the plurality of client devices; determining for each one of the plurality of client devices a time offset within the presentation; and transmitting the time offset for each one of the plurality of client devices to that one of the plurality of client devices.
Building upon the interactive system, the method for synchronizing a client device involves the server receiving audio data from the client device. The server analyzes this audio to determine the device's timestamp within the video. The server then sends this timestamp back to the client, enabling the client device to accurately synchronize with the video presentation for interactive features.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive content includes an instant messaging interface that couples the plurality of client devices in a communicating relationship for synchronous chat.
Building upon the interactive system, the interactive content includes an instant messaging (IM) interface. This interface connects all the viewing devices, allowing users to chat with each other in real-time while watching the video. The chat is synchronous, meaning messages are sent and received instantly, facilitating a shared viewing experience.
11. A computer program product for providing interactive content, the computer program product comprising computer executable code embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computing devices, performs the steps of: receiving a plurality of time offsets from a plurality of client devices that identify a temporal location in a presentation of time-based media for each one of the plurality of client devices; transmitting time-based interactive content according to the temporal location to at least one of the plurality of client devices for display on the at least one of the plurality of devices, wherein the interactive content includes a quiz synchronized to the presentation; scoring one or more responses to the quiz from the plurality of client devices; and transmitting a quiz result based upon the scoring to one of the plurality of clients for display on the one of the plurality of client devices synchronized to the presentation according to an independently determined time offset for the one of the plurality of client devices.
The system receives timestamps from multiple devices showing where each device is in a video. The system sends interactive content, like a quiz, to the devices based on their individual timestamps, so everyone gets relevant content in sync with their viewing. The system grades quiz answers from the devices and sends the quiz results back to at least one device, displaying the result in sync with that device's current video timestamp. This allows for synchronized interactive experiences across devices viewing the same content at different points in time. This functionality is implemented as a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.
12. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein transmitting time-based interactive content includes transmitting a presentation offset in order to synchronize display of the time-based interactive content on each one of the plurality of client devices.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program from the previous description, when the system sends interactive content (like a quiz) to the viewing devices, it also sends a presentation offset value. This offset ensures that the interactive content appears at precisely the correct moment in relation to the video on each device, synchronizing the display of the interactive element across all devices, regardless of their individual timestamps in the video.
13. A server comprising: a data network interface configured to provide a communicating relationship with a data network; a database; and a processor configured to perform the steps of: receiving a plurality of time offsets from a plurality of client devices that identify a temporal location in a presentation of time-based media for each one of the plurality of client devices; transmitting time-based interactive content from the database according to the temporal location to at least one of the plurality of client devices for display on the at least one of the plurality of devices, wherein the interactive content includes a quiz synchronized to the presentation; scoring one or more responses to the quiz from the plurality of client devices; and transmitting a quiz result based upon the scoring to one of the plurality of clients for display on the one of the plurality of client devices synchronized to the presentation according to an independently determined time offset for the one of the plurality of client devices.
A server includes a network interface, a database, and a processor. The processor receives timestamps from multiple devices showing where each device is in a video. The processor sends interactive content, like a quiz, from the database to the devices based on their individual timestamps, so everyone gets relevant content in sync with their viewing. The processor grades quiz answers from the devices and sends the quiz results back to at least one device, displaying the result in sync with that device's current video timestamp. This allows for synchronized interactive experiences across devices viewing the same content at different points in time.
14. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the interactive content includes a poll temporally related to the presentation.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program from the previous description, the interactive content delivered to the viewing devices includes a poll. The poll's questions are specifically designed to relate to the video content being watched at the time indicated by the device's timestamp. This makes the polls relevant and engaging for viewers, as they are directly connected to the video they are currently watching.
15. The computer program product of claim 11 further comprising code that performs the step of transmitting a result for the poll to one or more of the plurality of client devices.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program delivering polls related to video content, the system also transmits the poll results back to one or more of the viewing devices. This allows users to see how their responses compare to others and provides immediate feedback, enhancing the interactive experience. The results are displayed in relation to the current video timestamp on the receiving device(s).
16. The computer program product of claim 11 further comprising code that performs the step of updating the interactive content for each one of the plurality of devices as the time offset for that one of the plurality of devices changes over an interval of the presentation.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program, the system dynamically updates the interactive content displayed on each device. As a device's timestamp changes over time (as the user watches the video), the interactive content is refreshed to remain relevant to the new point in the video. This ensures that the interactive experience is continuous and always synchronized with the user's current viewing position.
17. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the presentation includes a live television broadcast.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program, the video content being watched is a live television broadcast. The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching the live broadcast at different points, or who may be behind the live broadcast due to pausing, recording, etc.
18. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the presentation includes a time-shifted television broadcast.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program, the video content being watched is a time-shifted television broadcast (e.g., a recorded show). The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching the time-shifted broadcast at different points.
19. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the presentation includes a display to the client device from a pre-recorded media including at least one of a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, and an HD DVD.
Building upon the interactive system implemented as a computer program, the video content being watched is played from a physical media like a CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, or HD DVD. The system synchronizes interactive elements, like quizzes, with users who are watching from physical media at different points.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 29, 2011
July 16, 2013
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